Early voting numbers impressive in election for U.S. Senate seat

August 20, 2010|By MATTHEW UMSTEAD

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Turnout in the Eastern Panhandle for the special primary election for the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Robert C. Byrd could be high, based on the number of ballots cast Friday on the first day of early voting.

The number of ballots cast in Berkeley, Morgan and Jefferson counties easily surpassed the first day early-voting tallies for the primary election this year, voting officials reported.

By 4:45 p.m., 160 ballots were cast in Berkeley County, 100 more than on April 21, according to Deputy County Clerk Bonnie Woodfall.

"We're very impressed ... I'm glad to see the people come out," Woodfall said.

Early voting continues today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. The special election will be Aug. 28.

In Jefferson County, 98 ballots had been cast about 10 minutes before the polls closed Friday, up from 41 in the spring, according to the County Clerk's office.

In Morgan County, 47 people went to the polls Friday, up from only five ballots cast on the first day of early voting for the primary election.

There are 13 Republicans and three Democratic candidates vying for their respective party's nomination to run for the Senate seat in the Nov. 2 general election. Mountain Party candidate Jesse Johnson is running unopposed. The GOP candidates are Thomas Ressler, Harry Bruner, Frank Kubic, John Raese, Daniel Scott Rebich, Kenneth Culp, Albert Howard, Lynette Kennedy McQuain, Scott H. Williams and Mac Warner. The Democratic candidates are Gov. Joe Manchin, Ken Hechler and Sheirl Fletcher.

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